Driving forward: diversity in law matters

Over the last few years, some of the leading City law firms have cast their nets wider than the traditional Russell group universities by seeing each applicant’s achievements in context, taking into account all relevant factors and respecting people’s wide-ranging achievements. As a result, a large number of law firms are now actively seeking to widen the pool of talent from which they draw their new recruits, as with all businesses they seek to grow by ‘hiring the very best’ and will want to ensure they draw their future lawyers from the largest possible supply of talent otherwise they may miss out on the chance to recruit tomorrow’s leading lawyers. It is now common to see the number of various universities firms have recruited from in their graduate literature. The message is clear - as long as students can meet a firm’s selection criteria, have the character and skills required to succeed, they will not be precluded on the basis of their background.

A diverse group of talented legal professionals is integral to the success of every law firm and the legal profession as a whole. Highlighting and promoting diversity is not about quotas, positive discrimination or having different standards; there are many reasons for widening access to law and achieving a truly diverse and  more inclusive legal profession. The way forward is about having clear and measurable targets in the recruitment, retention and promotion of lawyers from under-represented groups in society; achieving real progress on diversity requires concerted action across the whole of the UK legal profession. Together Everyone Achieves More - the diversity drive is about every single one of us being united and committed to helping the legal profession achieve a much larger purpose to ensure that: (1) any school child can have the hope of becoming a lawyer, as long as they work hard, are passionate, determined and intelligent, and (2) progression within a legal career is based on equality of opportunity, ability and merit, rather than background. We are mindful of the fact that broadening access to the legal profession is only part of the picture; we need to create inclusive cultures where everyone can be themselves and have the opportunity to realise their potential. If we do not work together to do this and challenge behaviours that are inconsistent with this, then the diverse and super talented individuals we recruit will find routes to exit this prestigious and rewarding profession.